what is the average lifespan of someone who suffers severe lung disease (not cancer)?

Question

i have c o p d, chronic bronchitis, fibrious growths in both lungs and a nondescript growth in right bronchial tract

forgot to say! i am 50 in april cannot stop smoking and the nondescript growth is growing about one centimetre a month

although i have suffered breathlessness for many many years all these problems have started/become more severe since aortic (human) valve replacement 3 years ago

Answer 1

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD. Emphysema falls under this category. COPD damage is basically irreversible, BUT continuing to smoke definitely can inflict more damage. By stopping now some lung functions will improve over time. Having a type of "fibrous growth" means you may be losing lung compliance. This is the ability of the lungs to expand, kind of like a balloon if you will. The prognosis, given what you stated, is not very good. Smoking cessation, perhaps a pulmonary rehab where you learn to increase your stamina, breathing exercises, etc. A lung transplant with someone who still smokes is out of the question. Perhaps a pulmonologist in your area should be consulted and asked about LVR surgery. That is when a portion of damaged lung is removed. Hope any of this helps. Have you tried the new smoking cessation drugs? Even if you switch to chewing tobacco or snuff for the nicotine it will help the lungs. Good luck.......I'm an R.R.T.

Answer 2

The only way to even roughly gauge life span is using FEV1 - a result your practice nurse could tell you if she does spirometry testing?

The average life span for a man in his 60's with a FEV1 value of 30-50% of predicted is 5 years.

The FEV1 is a measure of how much air you can forcibly blow out of your lungs in 1 second. In copd this value is considerably reduced due to damage to lungs.

You can also still slow the rate of decline by stopping smoking. Non smokers lose around 25ml of lung function annually whereas smokers lose around 60ml. No matter what age you give up there are benefits, you can halt the damage where it is.

Good luck

Answer 3

I`ve had C.O.P.D. now for about six years, and although it is degenerative and debillitating, you can learn to cope and adjust to your symptoms. But the eventuality is of a very poor prognosis !
As, far as growths, then maybe further down theline they may operate, but are very loathe to do so, even for minor ops on people with this condition.
My daughters partner`s father has it too , for many years and spends approx 15 hours a day on machines just breathing. but he is 76, me ? i`m 56 this year.

Answer 4

Sorry i don't know the answer to that i'm afraid, Is c o pd the new name they use now for emphysema?

My dad has been told he has emphysema and we don't know how long as he won't talk about it and without knowing the in's and out's of what the doctors have said to him we don't know. but we can guess that he has lost quite alot of his lung capacity and he still smokes a few cigarettes (They are a curse)

I wish you all the very best and i mean that.
Take care
I am sure that if you take care of yourself it certainly can't do any harm, but you need to talk again with your doctor.

Answer 5

believe it or not with the right medication and life style changes you have got a good few years ahead of you.

Answer 6

if you smoke stop make sure your getting the rite treatment and drugs and prey today is ours tomorrow is a bonus

Answer 7

If they can do a couple hours a week of exercise it would help

Answer 8

i would say about 55-60 depending how bad it is

Answer 9

That is only a question your doctors can answer none of us here would be able to answer that for you. Im sorry to hear about your health...

Answer 10

hello ian h,
i would say you have 3 to 5 years to live.
i am a doctor